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Chapter 11 · The Universal Form · 55 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Krishna’s natureChapter 11 · The Universal Form

11.33 11.35

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 11.34

Krishna as Time and the divine plan

Karma · Action

द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च

कर्णं तथान्यानपि योधवीरान् ।

मया हतांस्त्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा

युध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्‍नान् ॥ ३४ ॥

droṇaṁ ca bhīṣmaṁ ca jayadrathaṁ ca

karṇaṁ tathānyān api yodha-vīrān

mayā hatāṁs tvaṁ jahi mā vyathiṣṭhā

yudhyasva jetāsi raṇe sapatnān

Translation

Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Jayadratha, Karṇa and the other great warriors have already been destroyed by Me. Therefore, kill them and do not be disturbed. Simply fight, and you will vanquish your enemies in battle.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Carry Out Kṛṣṇa’s Plan

1
Kṛṣṇa says the great warriors are already destroyed by Him. He tells Arjuna to fight without being disturbed and win.
2
Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Lord makes every plan but mercifully gives credit to devotees who carry out His desire.
3
Act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and learn about the Supreme Lord through a spiritual master.

Key points from the purport

Arjuna is “told to fight and be victorious and enjoy the kingdom”. Why? Because:

Krishna desires the battle, Indicated by the words ‘Know My plan’ – “I have already killed them”

Perform your duty – “Do not be disturbed”

‘Jeta asi’ – indicates “You will be victorious”

Get the credit of being “My instrument”

How to know the plan of the Lord

Only possible by the Lord’s mercy

The plan of His devotees are as good as His plans

Thus act in Krishna consciousness to know His plan through medium of the spiritual master

Kindness and the mercy of the Lord

Every plan is made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead

But the Lord is very kind and merciful and wants to give credit to His devotees, if one carries out the plan according to His desire

“time I Am, Become My Instrument”

Krishna replies, “Time I am, the destroyer of the world. The great warriors on both sides are already slain by My plan. You can be but an instrument. Arise and fight!”

Chapter 11, section III: “time I Am, Become My Instrument”